I got the idea to blog about the Turk Hill Road farm from an editorial someone wrote last week labeled: “Farm blights Perinton” and it bothered me a bit because this is what I see when I drive or stop by for some freshly picked corn, zucchini or a bouquet of sunny sunflowers in the summer. I also purchase pumpkins, gourds and dried corn plants for decorating in the fall.

Some of you may have read an editorial in the local paper last week….I quote: “over the past 23 years, unused farm equipment on the north, south and west side rusting and rotting with vines, trees and grass growing around and up through the equipment with no care, and probably no intention of the owners to remove or repair it.” He continuted to write: “I am sure the tax write off is exhausted.” Is it really? Does he know this for a fact?

First of all, it’s a “farm” and second of all, how would this person know if the tax write off is “exhausted” or what the farm owner “intentions” are of removing the equipment are? I believe that as long as a person owns the equipment, you are able to write the equipment off. If the sight truly bothers him so much, why hasn’t he gone to the owners and asked about the equipment?

Also, if I’m not mistaken, I believe the owners of this farm donated land to the town of Perinton years ago to use (where Perinton Volunteer Ambulance and Center Park sit). I’m not sure, but that’s what I’ve heard. I’ll call the town later today and ask. I’ll let you know.

If I may stand up for the farm owners and the animals….I like to see a fading past kept alive. Unlike the unsightly buildings on 31F and Jefferson Ave. I blogged about earlier this summer, we have to keep in mind that this is farmland.

Would we rather see old farm equipment or a drugstore, gas station or fast food establishments there? I personally would rather smell the baa-baa doo, see cattle, sheep and llamas (by the way, the two female llamas there just had babies on Aug. 6th). The kids are adorable, friendly AND they don’t spit!

If you love fresh corn, vine ripened tomatoes and the farm, stop by and get some. Also, tell the owners how much you enjoy having the farm there. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.

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Gary Gocek grew up in Liverpool (central NY) and attended RIT (BS in CS). He has lived in or around Fairport for over 20 years. Gary now lives west of the village of Fairport with his wife, two cats and two guitars. He has two young-adult sons who graduated from FHS.

Gary works as a software developer and enjoys his family, music, ethnic heritage activities, church activities and DVDs-by-mail. He maintains family and other websites. After 9/11, he became a news junkie, gathering news from the D&C, TV, radio and the Internet. Gary says blogging is a natural extension, and for the D&C he hopes to "mix typical diary-like blog entries with humorous posts and comments on local politics."